Aurélie HazakGo to Profile Icon

guide to

Kyoto

12/26/2011

01/25/2012

Website




8.5

You need to be logged in to rate this guide

Going to Japan?

Don't forget your travel insurance

Get an instant quote
A month in Asia 4627 views
See Author's shop

You want to become a travel writer too? It only takes minutes

Start Travel Writing
Step 2/18: Japan - Kyoto

Kyoto photo by Aurélie Hazak

About Kyoto

Kyoto, first named Heian-kyō, has been the capital city of Japan for more than a thousand years. It is still considered the cultural center of the country. Instead of many other cities Kyoto didn't suffer from American bombings during the second World War. As a result you will find there approximately 20% of the country cultural heritage, with 17 places which are classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and more than 2000 shrines and temples. No need to say that you better plan your stay there if you wanna see a lot. Except if you can stay for a long time ! Nowadays the city is much more quiet than Tokyo. I also had the impressions that you could find more tourists there. Probably because of the number of places to visit ! It is easy to find your way around, and you will walk into random cultural places almost all the time, in the middle of the city as well as on the outside.
Bus/Coach icon
How I got here ?

Price: 70 €

Traveling time: 7 hours

Night bus in Japan are quite comfortable

Tips & Tricks

  • Go to Gion neighborhood if you wanna try to spot a Geisha
  • Wake up early to go to the temple : Bouddhist ceremony really worth it

Things to see

Higashi Hongan Ji 10 /10
0 €
Higashi Hongan Ji photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site. We arrived there randomly as soon as we were out of the night bus. We were lucky enough to be on time for the morning Buddhist ceremony : really worth it.
Ginkaku-ji 9 /10
5 €
Ginkaku-ji photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site. The garden is amazing, as well as their way of sculpting sand.
Golden Pavillon (Kinkaku-ji) 10 /10
4 €
Golden Pavillon (Kinkaku-ji) photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site. An amazing place to visit. Try to avoid the crowd (early morning or late afternoon). And be careful to the weather/ light if you wanna make photos : it can change a lot of thing there as it reflects on both the water and the Golden Temple !
Ryoan-Ji 10 /10
5 €
Ryoan-Ji photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site. The particularity of this zen temple and its garden on which 15 rocs are placed in a way that makes it impossible to see all of them in the same time (miniature reproduction on the pic below). The rest of the garden and the temple are beautiful as well.
Ninna-ji 9 /10
5 €
Ninna-ji photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site.
Shimogamo Jinja Shrine 5 /10
0 €
Shimogamo Jinja Shrine photo by Aurélie Hazak

User's opinion
Unesco World Heritage Site. The festival Kemara Hajime is taking place there on the 4th of January. The participants have to send the ball with their feet the higher possible.

Practical

Backpackers hostel k's... 9/10
Price 25 €
Address

418 Nayacho, Shichijo-agaru, Dotemachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku
600 Kyoto

Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto photo User's opinion:

Friendly staff, always available. They even helped us to book our bus ! You can stay in dorm (our choice) or choose a private room. Their bar/restaurant is quite good as well, and budget priced.


Luggage Room Available Air Conditioning Available No Curfew Internet Available 24h Reception Hot Shower Available Washing Machine Available
Sushi train 9/10
Price - €
Address

Toji Dori
600-0000

User's opinion:

Really good sushis there ! They are doing it in front of you: our cooker was really fun and always put more wasabi than usual in his suhis... A really great time there !